Cincinati’s NAACP says it has no confidence in the city’s first elected African American mayor. The organization makes its stand as Black leaders all across town voice their anger over their city's poor record on hiring minority contractors.

A city report shows that in 2007 Cincinnati awarded more than $656 million in contracts for construction, professional services and supplies. Only 1.6 percent of that money or about $290,000 went to businesses owned by minorities.

Blacks make up about 46 percent of Cincinnati’s population.

“There’s something wrong with this picture,” said city councilmember Cecil Thomas who called the numbers "abysmal."

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, who is Black, said he has set up a task force to investigate the problem. But as he seeks re-election for a second term, reaction to the report and a no confidence vote by the local NAACP clouds his support among the city’s Blacks.

"While the country struggles through tough times, Cincinnati continues to see growth and new business development," Mallory said as he advertized his many accomplishments yesterday before a crowd of supporters when he announced his mayoral run.

The local GOP is still deciding which candidate it will support to run against Mallory.